Wednesday 13 July 2016

Wild Bird Wednesday 207 - Lapwing

This week continues the theme of birds that rely on damp grasslands for breeding.  As a kid I would have called these birds Peewits and they were a (reasonably) common sight on ploughed fields and on the permanent grasslands on the Mendips.  Today, they are not so abundant.

Technically I think these birds are now called Northern Lapwings, and enjoy a double barrelled scientific name - Vanellus vanellus.






You may not be surprised to find out that these pictures were taken on Orkney in Scotland.

You may also not be surprised to find out that you can join in with WBW by clicking on the blue button below!  SM  (As ever I an dreadfully behind with comments.)
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35 comments:

  1. Kenneth Cole Schneider13 July 2016 at 03:34

    That Lapwing is a handsome critter! Very nice photos!

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  2. Bas.13 July 2016 at 03:38

    de Kievit in zijn eigen omgeving is hij ook op zijn mooist.

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  3. NatureFootstep13 July 2016 at 03:46

    great shots of the Lapwing. Nice to see them as I had a hard time coming close to them this season. :)

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  4. FAB13 July 2016 at 04:01

    Very handsome and distinctive wader. Definitely not a common sight inland compared to many years ago.

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  5. Findlay Wilde13 July 2016 at 04:04

    Great birds. We have a pair that have bred in the next field along from the one behind our house.

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  6. Margaret Birding For Pleasure13 July 2016 at 04:29

    yes these are called Northern Lapwing and a lovely wader. Many thanks for hosting.

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  7. Linda W.13 July 2016 at 05:16

    I like the tall feathers on top of this bird's head!

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  8. Mary Howell Cromer13 July 2016 at 05:39

    I think that the Lapwings are so pretty and happy to see these great images~

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  9. eileeninmd13 July 2016 at 05:41

    Hello, gorgeous shots of the Lapwing. I would love to see this bird in person. Thanks for hosting. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

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  10. Brian King13 July 2016 at 07:02

    I like these guys! That little cowlick thing they've got going on makes them look rather regal!

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  11. TexWisGirl13 July 2016 at 07:36

    neat birds.

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  12. mick13 July 2016 at 09:27

    Great photos of a very interesting bird.

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  13. Beth13 July 2016 at 12:58

    Love the crest on the lapwings - such distinctive birds! Thanks for hosting once again.

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  14. Valerie13 July 2016 at 14:05

    Fascinating critters! Great shots

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  15. Unknown13 July 2016 at 15:25

    Great photos!
    I like lapwings very much.
    I see them almost every day here in southern Finnish countryside.

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  16. Lady Fi13 July 2016 at 16:37

    The Orkneys seem like an amazing place. Lovely photos.

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  17. diane b13 July 2016 at 16:44

    Love its hairdo.

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  18. Tony McGurk13 July 2016 at 16:46

    A beautiful Lapwing. I like the feathers that stick up on top of it's head. It looks like it has antennae.
    Coincidentally Stewart I did my WBW post featuring a air of Masked Lapwings before I visited here, then when I came to link up I was surprised to see that you featured a Lapwing as well.

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  19. Author R. Mac Wheeler13 July 2016 at 22:56

    aw...the world needs more lapwings

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  20. Adam Jones13 July 2016 at 23:26

    I'm fortunate to have Lapwings nesting a few miles down the road from me, on my patch. Great birds to see and hear all year round. Numbers are dwindling year after year though.

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  21. Inspired By June13 July 2016 at 23:52

    What a neat looking bird, Stewart! Love his headdress! Happy travels.

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  22. Anonymous14 July 2016 at 00:33

    Delightful birds, and excellent captures, Stewart!

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  23. A Colorful World14 July 2016 at 01:05

    Gorgeous lapwing shots, Stewart! Sorry I have been so absent lately. Just don't get out of the house into the heat unless I absolutely have to! Won't be moving till the end of Sept....after that I am hoping I will have many many opportunities to get some new great photos!

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  24. Phil Slade14 July 2016 at 02:19

    "Not so abundant" is a real understaement Stewart. Lucky you were in Scotland becusue in the breeding season Lapwings are becoming increasingly scarce in former strongholds of England.

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  25. TheChieftess14 July 2016 at 02:43

    Interesting headfeathers!

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  26. Andrea @ From The Sol14 July 2016 at 04:44

    I don't see anything about these birds that would cause me to call them Lapwings or Peewits for that matter. Didn't anybody notice that they have an antenna on their head ... shouldn't that be considered when naming the bird? What an interesting bird ... very similar to our California Quail I think, but much stockier. You manage week after week to find birds I have never heard of before ... either you are pretty amazing or I am pretty ignorant( I prefer the first explanation :). This is a Handsome bird and great pictures, Stewart.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  27. This N That14 July 2016 at 07:47

    Love the head feathers..Great shots..interesting name

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  28. Sallie (FullTime-Life)14 July 2016 at 08:57

    The Lapwing really is a fascinating bird with that great head-dress! I'd love to see one in real life (but this is not my first virtual sighting -- If not from another one of your personal posts, then by linking to some of the other amazing birders on WBW -- either way it is thanks to you. .. and my life-list would be incredible if I could count my virtual sightings ;>)

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  29. Anonymous14 July 2016 at 09:10

    What a beautiful bird!!! I never heard of it Stewart but I love it's little "hat"...reminds my of an old time hat way back when...:)JP

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  30. Anonymous14 July 2016 at 09:50

    What a beautiful Lapwing! Striking with the plumage.

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  31. Dave14 July 2016 at 11:19

    Great shots! And finally you have a bird that I've seen!

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  32. Linda14 July 2016 at 11:56

    Love the head feathers! I also like the name Vanellus vanellus. Reminds me of vanilla!

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  33. genie15 July 2016 at 10:44

    This one prissy little fellow....love those head feathers and the black and white coloring is so pretty. I am still thinking about our walks into the central chamber at Newgrange. NO touching of the walls. I remember that so well. It is fun to talk with someone who has had a similar experience. It is one of a kind. genie

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  34. Bob Bushell18 July 2016 at 17:59

    Beaytiful image of the Lapwing.You're in the Orkney Isles I suppose!

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  35. Maude Lynn19 July 2016 at 02:02

    Marvelous shots! I love their "do!"

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